He blamed the harsh economic times for his theft, and asked the magistrate for a break.
However, Lindwall Ryan Walkes will have to spend the next six months at HMP Dodds after admitting to stealing two bottles of Seven Seas capsules worth $104.78 from Massy Stores last Thursday.
The unemployed man, of 1st Avenue, Greaves Land, Black Rock, St Michael, initially appeared before Magistrate Elwood Watts in the Oistins Magistrates’ Court last Thursday and was remanded, pending transfer to the District “A” Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Prosecutor Sergeant Edwin Pinder told the court yesterday the thief went to Price Lo Supermarket, Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church, and asked security to leave his bag at checkout No. 8. He went to Massy Pharmacy before attempting to retrieve his bag. Security was alerted that he had items in his pocket, and he ran off.
He was captured and two bottles of Seven Seas Joint Omega 3 capsules were found in his pocket.
When Magistrate Kristie Cuffy-Sargeant asked him if he wanted to address the court, he said he had fallen on hard times.
“These things I am accused for, I did. Since 2014 I lost my staunch job and have been struggling financially . . . . Believe me when I say I was trying to hold it together until I could find back some staunch work. My last child mother put me in court for child support.”
He continued: “I used to make $800 to $900 every two weeks, and be able to take care of me and my boys. The house collapsing and mum’s gone blind. She wearing pampers now, and some days don’t got money to buy any. I sorry for what I did,” he said from the dock.
The magistrate chastised Walkes, who was known to the court, for his behaviour.
“You have been in the system since 2002, so if you’re trying to tie in the loss of your job with why you’re before the court, your record does not reflect that,” she said, before sending him to jail. (RA)
